Costa Mesa police arrest group after fight [Corrected]

Five people, including two alleged gang members, were taken into custody. They were trying to intimidate a woman who talked to police, authorities say.

July 20, 2012|By Lauren Williams

Costa Mesa police arrested four people this week who allegedly tried to intimidate a woman after she reported a verbal altercation to the authorities.

The woman had reported to police that she and Arturo Gonzalez, a 19-year-old alleged gang member, got into an argument and he threw a beer can at her car in mid-June. Because of that, he became upset with her, according to Sgt. Cam Phillips.

FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version incorrectly labeled the first altercation as a fight that happened July 2. In fact, it was a verbal argument that happened mid-June.

During the attack, the suspects made statements indicating they were retaliating against her for telling police about the initial fight. Police said several witnesses were able to identify the alleged attackers.

Vasquez, Valenzuela and both Gonzalezes were arrested on suspicion of intimidating a witness, according to Phillips.

A fifth person, 25-year-old Maria Ovando of Costa Mesa, was arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting the suspects, police said.

The Gonzalezes and Valenzuela are residents of Anaheim, and Vasquez lives in Costa Mesa.

Arturo and Ivonne Gonzalez, Vasquez, and Valenzuela all face two felony charges for conspiring to commit a crime and dissuading a witness by force. They also face sentencing enhancements for being in a criminal street gang, according to court records.

Arturo Gonzalez and Vasquez face an additional charge of street terrorism, according to court records.